Proposal considered for old Settles Glass site in Hingham

HINGHAM – A longtime eye sore on Station Street could soon be a three-story, mixed used development if Hingham resident Gregory Murphy gets his way.

On Monday night, the developer pitched to the planning and zoning boards a building with 4,800 square feet of commercial space and four residential units at 6 Station St. For years, the site has been the home of the vacant Settles Glass Company building.

The new building would have four, two-bedroom residential condominiums on the top two floors and commercial space at ground level. The plans also include a parking structure with 16 spaces.

Murphy owns the retail building at 132 North St., which contains J. McLaughlin, Hingham Square Needlepoint, and Suzanne’s Gifts.

Half a dozen residents turned out on Monday night to express concerns about the proposed building, most of them focused on traffic at the intersection of North and Station Streets.

“Right now, you would find that it is dangerous, the speeds that people go down North Street,” Adrienne Ramsey, who lives across North Street from the proposed development, said. “And if you are a North Street Resident, at some point during the day you are going around a car that is illegally parked as it is.”

Donna Boisvert, who owns Station 27 Hair Salon on Station Street, says her customers use the current lot to back out of her business. She is worried that a building there would make backing onto the street more dangerous.

“The traffic is great for business, but it is really dangerous. I have a lot of concerns for public safety,” she said. “I also have concerns for how quaint my little store is, and that this is just going to completely take over. I’m concerned for my business.

Consultant Jeffrey Dirk reviewed the traffic study submitted by the developer for the town. He said he did not think the building would drastically increase traffic in the area. He did say he was concerned that with the current plan for the parking garage, cars pulling out may not be able to clearly see the Station and North Street intersection.

Grant Daley of East Street, said he thought the building would be a positive addition to downtown.

“This is going to be an upgrade for the town,” he said. “I’m in favor of it.”

Jennifer Gay Smith, chair of the planning board, requested a civil engineering peer review of the plan. Murphy will go before the town again on Tuesday, Jan. 30.